Chester Round the Walls race

Did anyone lose a headband on the racecourse on Friday?

Thanks to everyone who made this year’s Round the Walls race such a great success - the runners, the marshals, the spectators and all who helped behind the scenes.

It's a glorious morning at Chester Racecourse for the Round the Walls Race!

I imagine you are all now in taper before the big race on Friday! Race photos on the day will be taken by Mick Hall Photography and will be free to download at the following link or QR code.
See you at the start line!

https://search.mickhall-photos.com/galleries/chester-round-the-walls

Race Day Instructions are now available!


CHESTER ROUND-THE-WALLS RACE

Boxing Day 26th December 2025
10:30 am. START
The Racecourse, Chester CH1 2LY

Information for Runners

In the event of icy or very wet weather, rendering it unsafe to use the City Walls, the race may be cancelled or the route significantly changed. If adverse weather conditions occur, we will email you and provide as much notice as possible. Please check your email on the day before setting off, precise weather forecasting is very difficult!

Please note that the race organisers may take photographs during the race and may use these images for publicity purposes.

Race Route

The actual course used will depend on renovations to the Walls and weather conditions on the day. The current route measures approximately 6.4km.

The race starts on the grass close to the White Horse Pub with a clockwise lap inside the racecourse rails. The runners will complete approx. 2 km within the confines of the Roodee before crossing the racecourse near the main entrance. After turning left onto the footpath adjacent to the hotel car park, the race turns left again on the footpath adjacent to the railway arches and then joins the riverside path. The route follows the riverside path under Grosvenor Bridge, past the Little Roodee Car Park and towards Castle Drive.

The runners cross Castle Drive at the University building to join the City Walls at Bridgegate for an anti-clockwise circuit before returning to the Racecourse via the steps from Nuns Road. From the bottom of the steps the runners will run through the car park in front of the main stands before turning left to cross the racecourse. After following the main access road the runners turn left onto the grass to finish close to the White Horse pub.

The City Walls are narrow in places, with several flights of steps up and down, some sharp corners and are elevated. Once on the City Walls, there will be little opportunity for overtaking slower runners. Please look out for and be considerate to pedestrians, who have as much right to be on the Walls as you do. Marshals will advise the public of the race but there are numerous access points to the walls.

In accordance with UKA rules, the wearing of headphones, or similar devices, (other than those medically prescribed), is not permitted and will lead to disqualification.

Fancy Dress
Fancy Dress is encouraged but please be mindful of the narrow paths and the other runners and pedestrians that you’ll be sharing the walls with. Please try not to cause obstructions.

Dogs and Pushchairs
Dogs or any type of pushchairs / buggies are not permitted.

Registration

Numbers have been posted and if received, there will be no need to check in on the day. Please ensure the emergency information form on the reverse of your number is completed. If you do not receive your number in the post, please bring proof of entry to registration on race day.

THE RACE IS FULL AND THERE WILL BE NO ENTRIES ON THE DAY.

A number transfer facility is available prior to and on race day at no cost. We will require evidence that another runner has granted their permission for the transfer to proceed. And please DO NOT run with another runner’s number unless the transfer has been completed in niftyentries.com. It’s very important for your own safety that we have the correct details including any medical details for each runner. Failure to obey this rule will lead to disqualification.

Car Parking

There is NO parking available on the Roodee or within the confines of the racecourse. There is a small pay and display car park opposite the entrance to the Racecourse, and another next to the railway viaduct. Information on other car parks in Chester City Centre is available at: https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/transport-and-roads/parking-and-permits/chester-car-parks.aspx

Toilets

Toilets are in the fenced-off area between the road crossing point of the racecourse and the finish area for the race by the White Horse. There are also toilets available in the main grandstand.

Refreshments

Bottled water will be available at the end. Just pick one up if you need one.
We will also have Silver Café Co providing freshly ground coffee and other drinks and a selection of cakes and cookies.

Prizes
Men: First 5 plus 1st U/20, O/40, O/45, O/50, O/55, O/60, O/65, O/70
Women: First 5 plus 1st U/20, O/40, O/45, O/50, O/55, O/60, O/65, O/70

Prize presentations will be made as soon as possible after the race for the first 5 male and female finishers only. All age category prizes will be sent to the runners in the next few days after the race.
Only one prize per person.

All finishers will receive a race memento based on artwork by local artist Louise Diggle.

Entries opened 12 hours ago and the start list is already half full! Don't miss out, register now!

ENTRIES OPEN AT 9.00AM TOMORROW - MONDAY 6 OCTOBER

Chester Round the Walls Race 2025 on Fri 26 Dec 2025 The classic Boxing Day event, the Chester Round The Walls Race, is a must for all runners. Starting at Chester Racecourse, a 4 mile race circling Chester city on the Roman Walls and finishing back at the racecourse.

We're back! 🤩
The Chester Round the Walls race returns on 26 December 2025.
Entries will open at 9.00am on Monday 6 October - check back over the weekend for the link!

Rece photos are free to download at the following link

Chester Round the Walls (Mick Hall Photos) Chester Round the Walls (Mick Hall Photos)

The winners of today’s Round the Walls race

Hi all, this year's race is already sold out - thanks to all the earlybirds out there. We do not operate a waiting list but transfers are allowed right up to the day of the race. I would encourage anyone with a place who can no longer run to advertise here as I'm sure you will able to transfer your place to one of the many disappointed would-be Round the Walls runners desperate for a race entry.

Hi folks, with over 300 entries already the places are going fast! Enter now to avoid disappointment!